Morice Signs Professional Contract To Play In France

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Max Morice, who appeared in 17 games as a freshman last fall for the Yale men's soccer team, has signed a professional contract to play for Stade Rennes in France.

Morice was the only rookie to play in all 17 games a year ago. He scored his first career goal in his first game, a 2-0 victory over Central Connecticut. His first assist came in the win at Rhode Island.

"Max has a deeper passion for soccer than any kid I have ever met, and we knew when we recruited him that his lifelong dream was to follow his father's footsteps into a professional career," said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. "Although the timing of his move to the professional game was sooner than expected, it shows a recognition by Rennes of Max's superb talents. Making the grade in Europe is not easy but I truly believe he has the skills, the desire, the optimism and the mental toughness to persevere and establish himself at that level. Max and I spoke before he departed for France and while he felt that this opportunity was too good to pass up in the present, he was only putting his education on hold temporarily. He has every intention to complete his degree, and we can expect to see him back at Yale at the conclusion of his professional adventure."

Prior to Yale, Morice played for the Shattuck St. Mary's Club team in the US Developmental Academy. Shattuck provides a developmental environment similar to those found in youth academies at professional clubs around the world while at the same time offering a rigorous college preparatory education to those players who are enrolled in the residential academy program.

Morice's father, Pierre, played professional soccer with Nantes in the France First Division and the Minnesota Thunder in the United States.

Morice becomes the ninth player during Tompkins' tenure at Yale who has gone on to play professionally, including Ryan Raybould '05, who spent three seasons with the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer before playing professionally in Sweden. Brian Roberts '04 spent three years playing for the Wizards and served as a Youth Soccer Account Executive for the club. Roberts became the first Yale player to start an MLS game when he played 79 minutes against Real Salt Lake in July of 2005. Brian Lavin '01, a three-time first team All-Ivy selection, was picked by the Wizards in the fifth round of the MLS SuperDraft in 2002. Jay Alberts was chosen in the fourth round of 2004 draft by the Wizards and spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the A-League Minnesota Thunder. He also played with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the A-League. Matt Schmidt '01 played with Alberts with the Thunder and also was a member of the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Indoor Soccer League, earning All-Star recognition in 2006.